3-Hexen-1-ol, 1-formate, (3E)- (CAS 56922-80-6) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Sweet

3-_Hexen-_1-_ol, 1-_formate, (3E)_-

CAS 56922-80-6

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 3-_Hexen-_1-_ol, 1-_formate, (3E)_-?

3-Hexen-1-ol, 1-formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that mimics fresh-cut grass and green leaves. It’s commonly used in air fresheners, cleaning products, and perfumes to create a natural outdoor ambiance. This molecule matters because it provides an affordable, consistent alternative to expensive natural extracts, allowing products to smell freshly mowed without using actual plant materials.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA compliant at standard usage levels
Potential mild skin irritation at high concentrations
CAS
56922-80-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Sweet
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 3-_Hexen-_1-_ol, 1-_formate, (3E)_- Smell Like?

A burst of freshly crushed galbanum leaves with the juicy sweetness of dewy lawn clippings at dawn. Opens with piercing green sharpness like snapping pea pods, softening into a vegetal heart reminiscent of cucumber skins and aloe vera. The dry-down reveals faint earthy undertones – the memory of grass stains on summer jeans.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Used here to recreate the petrichor effect of monsoon rains on tropical vegetation, blending with calone and ginger to form an aqueous green accord.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

(E)-Hex-3-enyl formate

SMILES: CC\C=C\CCOC=O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

An ester derivative of leaf alcohol (3-hexen-1-ol). Synthesized via esterification of cis-3-hexenol with formic acid. The cis-3-hexenyl formate isomer is more valuable organoleptically, with greater freshness and natural character compared to trans configurations. Industrial production typically uses acid-catalyzed reactions under controlled conditions.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point198 °C
Density0.92 g/cm³
Refractive Index1.428

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium (1-2 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fabric Care0.01-0.1%Up to 0.5%Provides linen freshness
Fine Fragrance0.1-1%Up to 3%Green top note modifier

Classic Accords

Tip: Stabilize in ethanol-based systems to prevent ester hydrolysis over time.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
cis-3-Hexenyl acetate CAS 3681-71-8

When a fruitier green note is desired – adds a pear-like nuance while maintaining similar freshness profile.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted under current IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment completed – no significant safety concerns at reported use levels.

Sustainability

Synthetic production avoids agricultural land use and seasonal variability. The petrochemical feedstock raises carbon footprint concerns, but new bio-based routes using fermentation-derived alcohols are under development. Biodegradability studies show rapid environmental breakdown.

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References

  1. Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (6th ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 9781439867252

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 56922-80-6

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight128.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)1.9🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point152 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure2.8184 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point50.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.2683💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-2.133💻 Calculated
SMILESCCC=CCCOC=O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassModerate💻 Calculated
Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsapplefruitygreensharp• leffingwell
Functional Groupsetheralkene💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID701014970

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 128.171 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.91 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 160.987 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -55.694 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 54.967 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.429 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 141.378 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 1.994 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 1.994 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 1.994 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 3.79 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.013 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 5.208 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 1.01 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 27.367 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 144.35 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 26.3 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 36.469 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 14.457 Å^3📊 OPERA

Data Sources:

🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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